 'Aimee' Janet Leith, 2019 Oil on Canvas North East Artisan’s Biennial portrait prize “In Your Face” closed on Saturday 31st August after a month of high visitation, complementing events and interesting debates.
With its closure comes the announcement of “The People’s Choice” award, collated from the many votes of visitors to the exhibition. The $500 prize has been comprehensively won by Janet Leith with her portrait of a young woman “Aimee”. Janet’s practice as an artist is centred in Wangaratta, although she has strong links to Benalla, both at North Eastern Artisans and Benalla Art Gallery. “Aimee” is a refreshing and vivid portrait of a young woman moving from the left to right side of the picture whilst engaging the viewer directly with her eyes. Visitors obviously shared the positive elements the portrait represented. The First Prize of the In Your Face Portrait Prize was shared by Frank Burgers’ “Mum”and Tanya Tabone’s “ Uncle Fred, Pumpkin Head”. Selected by the official judge Debora Halpern, both portraits represented members of the artist’s family, honestly depicted. In Your Face is rapidly developing into the exhibition prize to watch in the North East, with a wide selection of styles and subjects exhibited. It is a reliable measure of the people’s pulse in image and art. North East Artisans thanks the artists, judge and organising committee and especially the sponsors and public, who make the prize come alive. We can’t wait till the 2021 prize…. Simon Klose  We've created an online catalogue for the In Your Face Portrait Prize to acknowledge the artists involved - it also provides a chance to see the works if you weren't able to 'attend, and to revisit them if you were able to. Just click on the photo!
 'Uncle Fred, Pumpkin Head' Tanya Tabone (2019) "This digital work has been specifically created for the 2019 In Your Face Exhibition. The piece is a portrait of my Great Uncle Fred which I photographed at an event and have digitally altered to convey my impressions of him as an artistic subject. When viewed from afar, this is a realistic photographic portrait of my uncle who always pulls silly faces. It is only upon closer inspection that you can see a blurring of the details of his likeness. This demonstrates how age blurs the line between life and the memories we hold. His eyes and face capture his fun, strong personality, but the dry brush stroke softens his features so that they jump around like a memory when you try to focus on a face you have loved." Tanya Tabone 2019  'Mum' Frank Burgers (2019) "I’ve been working on this painting for years. Mum is changing over time, and I am hoping the painting will evolve into a summary of what it means to be the son of Hannie Burgers. She has always been a strong and independent woman, and continued living on her own when dad passes away in 2005. Before that she survived a tumour the size of a golf ball, removed from her head when she was in her late 40’s. Mum always retained a positive outlook on life. That, her generosity, and her caring nature, defines the wonderful woman she is. She loved colour." Frank Burgers 2019 'The In Your Face' NEA Portrait Prize 2019 exhibition is open at NEA from 10 - 4 Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 - 2 on Saturdays. to 31st August If a volunteer is available, it my also be open on Mondays from 10 to 4 pm (NEA is usually closed on a Monday)
NEA would like to acknowledge financial support towards the cost of running the 'In Your Face Exhibition' from Benalla Rural City Community Sponsorship fund and V-Line Benalla Station Community funding. Photographs: Tanya Tabone and Janet Leith ‘In Your Face’ Portrait Prize Winners Announced The region’s best portraits have been celebrated at the ‘In Your Face’ Portrait Prize on Friday August 2nd, 2019, with joint winners Frank Burgers for his work ‘Mum’ and Tanya Tabone for her work ‘Uncle Fred - Pumpkin Head’. Renowned mosaic artist, Deborah Halpern, named the winners at the opening night celebration for the North East Artisans (NEA) exhibition on Friday August 2nd, 2019. The works were selected from a shortlist of 26 works of varied mediums. The Portrait Prize of $1,000 was shared between the two winners. An additional $500 People’s Choice Award will be voted on during the exhibition at NEA, which is on display until August 31st, 2019. Mr Burgers winning artwork is an oil painting featuring his mother which has taken years to complete. ‘Mum has always been a strong and independent woman who has survived many ordeals,’ said Mr Burgers. ‘I am hoping that her positive outlook, generosity and caring nature come through in my portrait,’ said Mr Burgers. Ms Tabone’s work is a digital artwork of her great Uncle Fred. ‘I hoped to capture my Uncle’s fun, strong personality in this piece,’ said Ms Tabone. ‘I love capturing photos that reveal the essence of someone’s character. ‘It is an honour to be selected among such a fine selection of artists and I’m very grateful to North East Artisans and Deborah Halpern for this opportunity,’ said Ms Tabone. The exhibition is on display at North East Artisan’s Exhibition Gallery until August 31st, 2019. Explore the In Your Face Portrait Exhibition from 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday to Friday and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. Frank Burgers teaches art classes at North East Artisans on Wednesday nights for $25 per class. Bookings can be made by contacting Frank on 0488 676 127. Tanya Tabone offers digital portrait photography for families and individuals and can be contacted on 0447 744 663. Source; NEA Media Release
Realizing that the 'In Your Face' NEA Portrait Prize 2019 exhibition would be more expensive to run than previous exhibitions, the Exhibitions Team sought additional funding to ease the financial burden on North East Artisans.
We would like to acknowledge funding of $500 from Benalla Rural City's Community Sponsorship July funding round and the donation of $350 from V-Line Benalla staff community fund. With a much larger prize on offer next year for the new biennial Contemporary Art Prize, our fundraising net will need to spread further, however we are thrilled to have received these contributions in support of 'In Your Face' Thank you so much Benalla Rural City and V-Line Benalla Station! Exhibitions Team  IN YOUR FACE PORTRAIT PRIZE FINALISTS
Kerryn Amery Mervyn Beamish Jeremy Bianco Tim Bowtell Frank Burgers Kim D’Arma Deb Dodd Cara Dosser Denise Ellison Anthony James Faulkner (Gammy) Barbara Forster Maggie Hollins Tara Kells Asia Kosowski Janet Leith Annie Longmuir Jacqueline Macleish Rob Matthews Stefani Helena Mierzwa Marian Quigley Fleur Rendell Tanya Tabone MariJana van Zanten Catherine Warnock Kathleen Whelan 'In Your Face' - NEA's Biennial Portrait Prize Exhibition can be viewed in the Exhibition Gallery (Gallery 2) from Tuesday to Friday 10 to 4 pm and Saturdays 10 to 2 pm from August 3 to August 31st.. The winner will be announced by judge Deborah Halpern at the exhibition opening on Friday 2 August. While you are viewing the exhibition, fill out your choice for the People's Choice Award! NEA Exhibitions Team NEA;s Exhibitions Team would like to acknowledge the financial contribution to the holding of the In Your Face Exhibition by the Rural City of Benalla (Community Sponsorship Grant) and V-Line Benalla Station staff.  'Deborah Halpern (2019) Alice with a Vase of Flowers: Oil on canvas (9 panels) Source: Instagram The Call for Entries to the "In Your Face' Portrait Prize has been extended! Application forms can now be submitted up to Tuesday 16 July at 5pm.! The 'In Your Face Portrait Prize' represents new territory for NEA as it involves a selection panel, shortlisting and then judging by acclaimed ceramic artist, sculptor and painter Deborah Halpern prior to the opening of the Exhibition. "Artists are invited to enter a maximum of TWO works for this exhibition which MUST be a Portrait /s of some type, in any style or medium and not exceed the maximum size of 1.2 X 1.2m. 2. The entry must be an original, uncopied work, that has been completed in the last 12 months and NOT previously exhibited. To be eligible, all entrants must submit ALL the requirements of entry by the extended date of Tuesday July 16th at 5pm. This includes ‐ A completed application form, one JPEG image (2MB only) of the artwork, an artist statement (word docx) and entry fee payment. Entries received after JULY 16 will not be accepted. The ENTRY FEE of $15 per work is non refundable if works are not selected for the exhibition. 5. Applications MUST be sent via EMAIL to the NEA Exhibition Coordinator – janet.leith@gmail.com Please contact Janet for queries & information. Hard copies of the application form will be available@ NEA Gallery Shop, 122 Bridge Street, Benalla. However jpeg images & artist statements MUST be emailed in the correct formats. 6. All work must be professionally prepared for hanging and installation. To be suitable for hanging please adhere to these requirements. If framed, frames must be a decent quality to sell in a gallery. Plastic frames without ‘D’rings and wire/string are not acceptable." There is further detail on the entry form below! Application Form  Deborah Halpern with her sculpture 'The Face' - Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, 2018 Siource : Instagram
 IN YOUR FACE 2019 - NEA Portrait Prize $1000 People’s Choice $500 The NEA Portrait Prize is open to ALL artists TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Please read all conditions of entry carefully
Photographs: Frank Burgers, also Michaela Alexander, Carla Gardner and Bev Lee.
 Beautiful A4 posters of some of the portraits exhibited in the In Your Face exhibition are available for only $5 as a fund raising project at NEA. Place your orders and pay before the exhibition closes on 31st July and collect shortly after.
First photos of last night's opening--from Michaela Alexander, Carla Gardner and Bev Lee
Preparations are in full swing for the opening of NEA's 'In Your Face' Portrait Exhibition on Saturday July 1st at 6 pm. Mark this date on your calendar to see some wonderful portraits by local artists. Your first drink will be complimentary, further drinks at bar prices. "In Your Face' has also become a celebration of Poster Art. Exhibition curator Cornelia Selover's posters featuring portraits by a number of the exhibiting artists have been a highlight in the lead up to the opening. A selection of limited edition posters will be available for purchase by order during the exhibition. The price will be $5 for an A3 size poster on quality paper; with two limited edition posters also available in size A0 at a price of $150 each.  |
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- Home
- About
-
Artisans
- Gallery Shop
-
EXHIBITIONS
- Exhibitions
- 'Unfinished Business'
- 'Chairs'
- Exhibitions Blog
-
Past Shows
>
- Postcards to New York - Response Exhibition
- 'In Your Face' Portrait Prize 2019 >
- Postcards from New York's Hudson Valley 2019
- 'Another Brick in the Wall' April 2019
- 'The Source' - March 2019
- Our Backyard - November 2018
- Wisdom and Experience - October 2018
- Benalla Flexible Learning Centre 2017 - 2019
- Benalla Rural City 2018-19
- 'In Your Face' 2017 >
- Door of Hope Exhibition 2017
- 'Rite of Spring' 2016 >
- Exhibition Application Form
- Studios
- Workshops
- Cafe
-
Events
- News
- Contact